OVERNIGHT CABLES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17218, 8 December 1923, Page 12

OVERNIGHT CABLES.

SYDNEY, December 7. The new comet reported from New Zealand has been observed in Sydney and identified as Dubiago’s, for which observers have been watching for some time. MELBOURNE. December 7. The Minister of Education, Sir A. Peacock, has announced that the Government is introducing a Loan Bill for £600,000 for educational purposes. . PARIS, .December 7. The Chamber of Deputies, by 408 ■ votes to 127, passed the Electoral Re- ! form Bill generally maintaining the present method of voting. M. Poincare made the passage of the Bill in such a form a question of confidence in the Government. MELBOURNE, December 7. Mr Justice Powers, in the Arbitration Court, granted preference to the Watersiders’ Union, Sydney, subject to preference to returned soldiers and sailors, thus ending the preference given to loyalists since the maritime strike in 1917. PEKIN, December 6. American naval vessels have joined those of Japan, Italy, Britain and France at Canton to prevent Dr Sun Vat-Sen's threatened seizure of the Customs House, whose foreign control he has long resented. Meanwhile British marines have reinforced the French landing party which has fortified the building, while other foreign gunboats are standing by to support the disembarkation.